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Work at MTO sawmills in George suspended after wage strike violence

Details

Wednesday, 18 October 2017 12:51

Netwerk24 reports that operations at MTO Forestry’s sawmills in George have been temporarily suspended. This came about after workers who were unwilling to take part in a strike conducted by the National Certified Fishing and Allied Workers’ Union (NCFAWU) were attacked and assaulted.

Most of the workers who were not on strike did not report for work on Tuesday, according to a statement put out by the company. On Monday, four workers were apparently attacked during the course of the day and are being treated in hospital. No violence occurred on Tuesday. MTO requested a meeting with NCFAWU and it was due to be held on Tuesday afternoon. Lawrence Polkinghorne, CEO of MTO, commented: “I am very sorry about the violence by NCFAWU members. It was totally unnecessary and not in the spirit of the strike. The victims are being treated in hospital and we are doing everything possible to protect our employees.” The strike relates to a wage dispute and other disagreements. It has been referred to the CCMA for conciliation. (Loosely translated from Afrikaans)

Read this report by Eugene Gunning and Jackie Kruger in full in Afrikaans at Netwerk24